WALKHAM Valley?s first match of the season was an encouraging encounter against old rivals from the Elephant?s Nest.

The visitors batted first, and three of their number, Neale, Wilson and Radcliffe, rattled up impressive knocks of over 25 in establishing a challenging total of 131 for 2.

For the home side, there were steady bowling performances from Hills, J Berry and R Berry who took one of the wickets, the other falling to a smart piece of fielding by Ralph.

In general, Walkham?s fielding was a significant improvement on last year?s efforts.

Walkham Valley?s openers Hills and R Berry got them off to a sparkling start, but after their departure, the visiting bowlers took control and Walkham managed a respectable if inadequate total of 83 for 6, with Hills top scoring 26 not out, and Ralph and J Berry getting into double figures. Wilson, Murray and Burns were the pick of the visitors? bowlers.

Proceedings were briefly interrupted during the Walkham innings when a family of ducks waddled across the pitch, though in the event they proved not to be quite such harbingers of doom as some of the wags among the spectators had predicted! A comfortable win then for The Elephant?s Nest.